(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to speak on the gun control issue that was introduced as a new piece of legislation for Canadians in January of 1997. To date, I have not heard of any new progress as to the enforcement, regulations and procedures that are to be in place. We, the Inuit, who are affected as Canadians, by this legislation have never been consulted nor informed as to the laws we should now be aware of. In the absence of this information, we may be guilty of contravening sections of the new gun control laws unwittingly. This can result in charges and court cases through the justice system. If this legislation is, in fact, an enforced law, then the Inuit people must be educated about the contents and how it is to affect them. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be posing questions to the Minister of Justice in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Mark Evaloarjuk
Last in the Legislative Assembly March 1999, as MLA for Amittuq
Won his last election, in 1995, with 32% of the vote.
Statements in the House
Member's Statement 205-13(5): Gun Control Legislation February 10th, 1998
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Yes, I thank the Minister for the response because quite a few times the community members themselves or the hamlet do not have a plane to search for people who are lost. I wanted to tell the Minister so that she can encourage the people who are doing the search and rescue with planes, to do it as soon as possible. Thank you. (Translation ends)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Under emergency services, I would like to ask a question. There is a situation probably about once a month. I know that the communities themselves deal with these emergency situations, but sometimes, if they have to hire a plane to look for an individual, and although there are RCMP that can assist with the search and rescue as well as the army, I think there is a policy that there are so many hours, I think it is 24 hours after the person is reported missing, before they can finally go and find the individual who is lost. Is this 24 hours in effect or can individuals or search and rescue go search before the 24 hours is up? Thank you. (Translation ends)
Question 235-13(5): Igloolik Community Hall Extension February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I think the Minister is aware that the community hall in Igloolik is too small for the population. I have not seen any capital funding for Igloolik for the extension of the community hall. Is she aware the community hall is very small for the people of Igloolik? Are there any plans in the future for the extension of the community hall in Igloolik? Thank you. (Translation ends)
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize a former Member who I used to sit with in the Legislative Assembly, Peter Ernerk, a good friend of mine. Thank you. (Translation ends)
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back to recognition of visitors in the gallery. I was late. (Translation ends)
Member's Statement 177-13(3): Igloolik Search And Rescue Efforts February 5th, 1998
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to briefly speak about the incident in the area between Igloolik and Hall Beach. There was an emergency. People from Hall Beach and Igloolik were searching for a person. I would like to state that I am very glad that the person was found and I am very grateful for the accomplishment. Thank you. (Translation ends)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 3rd, 1998
(Translation) No. (Translation ends).
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 3rd, 1998
(Translation) Thank you. I should at least express my gratitude for this opportunity. At this time I
would also like to thank Bryan Pearson. I think he was the first man to introduce the use of simultaneous interpreters within the Legislative Assembly. I believe it was him who put forward a motion to that effect. The people in my riding and my constituency who are unable to speak in English are able to keep up with the business of the House through the use of interpreters and for me especially I am able to keep up with the activities through the use of the interpreters. I understand that the current House interpreters are hired on a contract basis. I do appreciate the services that are provided. Being a unilingual Member in the House, I do not want to focus on myself or my personal difference here in the House, but everyone knows that I am the only unilingual Member. I am in a unique position whereby I do have a constituency assistant in Igloolik. I can say at this time that the funding for my travel within my constituency under my constituency budget is currently almost all used up. I need the use of the interpreters and I had to have a part-time constituency assistant because of my unilingualism. I had to pay for this person's services from my operating and maintenance budget. I believe because of this unique position I have to have additional assistants because of my unique unilingual position. I should be able to access funding that would enable me to hire an assistant during my stay here. Of course we are accountable for the use of our funding. Back in the days around 1975 and 1976, we had much more freedom. I do not really understand why we are not given that flexibility to access certain funding that is considered necessary. That is my question. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters February 3rd, 1998
(Translation) Mr. Chairman, being on page 1-6, can we make general comments or just to this item at this time? What is the procedure? (Translation ends)